Photo credit: NotebookCheck
A Google Pixel 10 prototype popped up on Goofish, China’s answer to eBay, sparking a frenzy of buzz about what’s next for Google’s flagship smartphone. This leak gives a juicy sneak peek at the Pixel 10’s upgrades, from a long-teased periscope telephoto camera to the shiny new Tensor G5 chip.
More specifically, a Design Validation Testing (DVT) unit, where Google makes final adjustments to the hardware before manufacturing begins. The Goofish listing shows off the phone and its Tensor G5-branded motherboard. The seller calls it an Engineering Validation Testing (EVT) model, but the fastboot menu and a sticker scream DVT, hinting this is close to the final deal. The phone’s back rocks Google’s classic horizontal camera bar, but with a twist: a triple-camera setup that looks like it’s packing a periscope telephoto lens—a first for the base Pixel.
- Google Pixel 9a is engineered by Google with more than you expect, for less than you think; like Gemini, your built-in AI assistant[1], the incredible...
- Take amazing photos and videos with the Pixel Camera, and make them better than you can imagine with Google AI; get great group photos with Add Me and...
- Google Pixel’s Adaptive Battery can last over 30 hours[2]; turn on Extreme Battery Saver and it can last up to 100 hours, so your phone has power...
Cameras are where Pixels always shine, and the Pixel 10 seems to be going big. That periscope telephoto lens, possibly a 1/3.2-inch 5x sensor lifted from the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, is a game-changer. Until now, telephoto lenses were a Pro-model perk, leaving base Pixels with just main and ultrawide shooters. This could level the playing field, bringing zoom power to match the fancy models. But there’s a catch—rumors suggest the Pixel 10 might roll with a 48 MP main sensor and a 12 MP ultrawide, both smaller than the Pixel 9’s, banking on Google’s photo-processing wizardry to keep shots stunning.
Powering the Pixel 10 is the Tensor G5 chip, built by TSMC on a 3nm process, ditching Samsung’s 4nm Tensor G4. It’s set to be more efficient, though raw speed boosts might be subtle. The motherboard pic confirms the G5’s role, teasing improved AI functionality for things like video editing or sharper macro shots. The prototype’s running Android 16, keeping up Google’s habit of launching Pixels with the freshest OS. A new “performance mode” for quicker boot times, spotted in Android Open Source Project code, could be a nice cherry on top.
Design-wise, the Pixel 10 keeps it familiar. It’s got the flat edges and slim bezels of the Pixel 9, with a 6.3-inch FHD+ OLED screen hitting 3,000 nits of brightness and rocking Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The frame’s got a matte vibe, unlike the glossy finish rumored for the Pro models. A small quirk: the SIM card tray’s shifted to the top edge, maybe hinting at some internal reshuffling. Battery life’s getting a bump too, with a 4,970 mAh cell, 29W wired charging, and 15W Qi2 wireless charging—solid upgrades that keep things practical.
[Source]
